Kaya-Iloilo vs United City for Copa title

Originally published by Manila Bulletin Online

Defending champion Kaya-Iloilo and United City FC arranged a title showdown after posting similar 1-0 victories Tuesday, May 17 in the rain-drenched semifinals of the Copa Paulino Alcantara at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.

Kaya edged out Stallion-Laguna for its fourth straight appearance in the cup final while United City prevailed over Dynamic Herb Cebu to move win shy of adding another domestic trophy.

The two clubs will meet on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. to determine the winner of the tournament named after the legendary FC Barcelona striker.

Daizo Horikoshi, the tournament’s top goalscorer, gave Kaya the victory when fired a shot in the 86th minute after an attempted clearance by Stallion’s Matthew Nierras.

It was the sixth goal for the winger who hails from Kanagawa, Japan as Kaya stretched its unbeaten streak in domestic competitions to 16 consecutive matches.

Kaya has not lost since the 2019 Copa Final when it fell short against Ceres-Negros.

UCFC supplied the only score of the other semis match when the Fil-Norwegian Lyngbo produced a header off a free kick at the hour mark.

United City could have doubled the lead but Mike Ott’s low attempt from the spot was saved by Cebu keeper Ace Villanueva.

But Cebu couldn’t score the equalizer until the final whistle, sending UCFC to the final despite placing third at the end of the eliminations.

Cebu and Stallion will dispute third also on Sunday at 5 p.m.